JPH0991129A - Image processor and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor capable of executing image processing even during the reloading operation of a control program, and to provide the method therefor. SOLUTION: Even while the control program of a reader part 1 is reloaded, a CPU inside the reader part 1 judges that a reception module at a facsimile part 3 can be operated and at the time of real reloading, operable module information is transmitted to the facsimile part 3 together with a reloading starting command. Based on the information, only the reception module is operated normally in the facsimile part 3 even while the control program of the reader part 1 is reloaded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a method thereof, for example, an image processing apparatus and a method for rewriting a control program included in the image processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a non-volatile memory for storing a control program in an image processing apparatus, a mask ROM in which fixed data (control program) has been written in a manufacturing process, or a program in which a program can be written after manufacturing is used.
ROM (programmable ROM) and UV-erasable EPROM
(erasable PROM) was being used. In recent years, as an alternative memory, EEPROM (electrically erasable and p
Rogrammable ROM) has been developed and it has been proposed to use these in image processing devices. By using such a rewritable non-volatile memory, it is not necessary to replace the ROM when modifying or changing the control program, and it is possible to easily rewrite the program onboard. As a result, if the image processing apparatus is connected via the network, the control program can be rewritten from a remote place using communication.

[0003]

However, in the image processing apparatus in which the control program is stored in the above-described rewritable nonvolatile memory, when the control program is rewritten, the image processing apparatus has all the functions. I had to stop. That is, there is a problem that processing efficiency is lowered because other processing cannot be performed during the memory rewriting operation.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and method capable of executing some image processing even during a rewriting operation of a control program. .

[0005]

As one means for achieving the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, the image processing apparatus has a control program stored in a rewritable storage means, which has a control means for controlling the entire apparatus according to the control program and a rewriting means for rewriting the control program. The means gives an instruction for a process that is operable when the rewriting is performed by the rewriting device, and permits the operation of the process when the rewriting is performed by the rewriting device.

For example, the storage means is a flash ROM
It is characterized by including.

For example, the storage means includes an EEPROM.

For example, the processing operable during the rewriting by the rewriting means is a processing not directly involved in the control program.

Further, a second control program is provided in a second storage means different from the rewritable storage means, and the process operable when the rewriting is performed by the rewriting means is performed by the second control program. It is characterized by being processing.

For example, the second storage means is not rewritable.

Further, it is characterized in that it has an informing means for informing the operator of the device state, and the informing means informs that the rewriting is in progress when the rewriting by the rewriting means.

For example, the informing means is informed of operable processing at the time of rewriting by the rewriting means.

Further, the image processing apparatus holds a control program in a rewritable storage means, and has a control means for controlling the entire apparatus according to the control program and a rewriting means for rewriting the control program, and the storage means The means divides and holds the control program into a plurality of modules, the rewriting means rewrites in units of the modules, and the control means performs a process operable when the rewriting is performed by the rewriting means in the plurality of modules. And the operation of the module is permitted at the time of rewriting by the rewriting means.

For example, the control means suspends the rewriting when the instructed module operates during the rewriting by the rewriting means.

For example, the storage means is a flash ROM
It is characterized by including.

For example, the storage means includes an EEPROM.

Further, it is characterized in that it has an informing means for informing the operator of the apparatus state, and the informing means informs that the rewriting is in progress when the rewriting by the rewriting means.

For example, the informing means is informed of operable processing at the time of rewriting by the rewriting means.

As one method for achieving the above-mentioned object, the image processing method of the present invention comprises the following steps.

That is, an image processing method in an image processing apparatus in which a control program is stored in a rewritable storage means, instructing a process that is operable when rewriting the control program, and operating the process when rewriting the control program. It is characterized by permitting.

An image processing method in an image processing apparatus in which a control program is stored in a rewritable storage means, wherein the storage means divides the control program into a plurality of modules and holds the control program, It is characterized in that a process operable when rewriting in module units is instructed from the plurality of modules and the operation of the modules is permitted when rewriting.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image processing apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, 10 is an image processing apparatus and 11 is an external device such as a host computer, which are connected to each other by a predetermined interface. In the image processing apparatus 10, 1 is a reader unit, 2 is a printer unit, 3 is a facsimile unit, and 4 is a hard disk.

The operation of the above configuration will be described below. First, the reader unit 1 optically reads an image of a document placed on a document table (not shown), and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 and the facsimile unit 3. In addition, in the image processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, it is assumed that a memory, which is a rewriting target of a program described later, is provided in the reader unit 1. The printer unit 2 records an image according to the image data input via the reader unit 1 and the facsimile unit 3 on a recording medium. The facsimile unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1, expands the compressed image data received via the public telephone line, transfers the expanded image data to the reader unit 1, performs so-called reception processing, and facsimiles. The unit 3 compresses the image data transferred from the reader unit 1 and transmits the compressed image data to the set destination via the public telephone line. A hard disk 4 is connected to the facsimile unit 3 so that the received compressed image data can be temporarily stored. The external device 11 is, for example, a host computer, and rewrites the memory in the reader unit 1 as described later.

The reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 will be described in detail below. In this embodiment, the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 are provided as an integrated device, and a side sectional view thereof is shown in FIG. In the reader unit 1, 101 is a document feeder, which feeds documents one by one from the last page onto the platen glass 102, and discharges the document on the platen glass 102 after the reading operation of the document is completed. is there. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on and the scanner unit 104 starts moving, so that the document is exposed and scanned. The reflected light from the document at this time is reflected by the mirrors 105, 106, 10
7 and a lens 108 guides the image to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 109. In this way, the image data of the original scanned on the platen glass 102 is read by the CCD 109. CCD
The image data output from 109 is subjected to predetermined image processing and then transferred to the printer unit 2 or the facsimile unit 3.

In the printer unit 2, a laser driver 221 drives the laser emitting unit 201 to emit laser light according to the image data output from the reader unit 1. The photosensitive drum 202 is irradiated with the laser light, and a latent image corresponding to the laser light is processed on the photosensitive drum 202. The developing device 20 is provided on the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202.
3 causes the developer to adhere. Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 204 or the cassette 205, and the transfer unit 2
Then, the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper. The recording paper with the developer is the fixing unit 2
The developer is fixed on the recording paper by being conveyed to 07 and heated and pressed. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by a discharge roller 208. Sorter 22
0 stores the discharged recording sheets in the respective bins to sort the recording sheets. If the sorting in the sorter 220 is not set, the recording paper is stored in the uppermost bin. When double-sided recording is set, after the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the flapper 209 guides the recording paper to the re-feeding conveyance path. When multiplex recording is set, the flapper 209 guides the recording paper to the re-feeding conveyance path so that the recording paper is not conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the re-feed conveyance path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the above-described timing.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed block configuration of the reader unit 1. In FIG. 3, 109 is a CCD and 110 is an A / D
A / D / SH unit that performs conversion and shading correction, 1
Reference numeral 11 denotes an image processing unit that performs various image processes, 113 denotes an I / F unit that controls the interface with the facsimile unit 3, and 115.
An operating unit 117 is used by the operator to input instructions and notify the state of the device. An I / F unit 117 controls the interface with the external device 11 and includes SCSI, RS-232C, and the like.

Reference numeral 114 is a CPU that controls each component of the reader unit 1 in a centralized manner, and 116 is a memory that stores a control program that is referred to and executed by the CPU 114. The memory 116 is composed of an EEPROM or the like,
This is a memory to be rewritten in this embodiment.

The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion in the A / D / SH unit 110 and shading correction. A
The image data processed by the / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111 and to the facsimile unit 3 via the I / F unit 113. The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the I / F unit 113 according to the setting contents set by the operation unit 115. For example, when the copy mode in which the trimming process is performed on the operation unit 115 to perform copying is set,
The image processing unit 111 causes the image data to be trimmed and then transferred to the printer unit 2. Further, when the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the I / F is issued with a control command corresponding to the image data and the set mode.
Transfer from the unit 113 to the facsimile unit 3. As described above, the control program of the CPU 114 that performs such processing is stored in the memory 116. Also, memory 1
16 is also used as a work area of the CPU 114.

Next, the detailed configuration of the memory 116 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the memory 116 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, a memory 116 is a flash ROM 1161, EPROM 1162, RAM1.
163. Also 118 and 119
Are an address bus and a data bus of the CPU 114, respectively. The flash ROM 1161 stores a control program for normal operation of the reader unit 1, and the EEPR
It is a rewritable nonvolatile memory composed of OM and the like.
The EPROM 1162 stores a download program for rewriting the flash ROM 1161. The RAM 1163 is also used as a storage area for backup data of the reader unit 1 and a work area of the CPU 114.

Hereinafter, the image processing apparatus 1 having the above-mentioned configuration
At 0, for example, consider the operation in the case of performing so-called version-up processing in which the control program of the reader unit 1 is rewritten by the external device 11. At this time, the external device 1
Reference numeral 1 is a host computer, which is a flash ROM shown in FIG.
The image processing apparatus 1 stores the control program stored in 1161.
Send to 0 side. Then, the CPU 114 causes the EPROM 1
While referring to the download program stored in 162, the received control program is stored in the flash ROM 11
61 to memorize.

In this case, the flash ROM 1161 is in the rewrite mode, and normal read operation cannot be performed. Therefore, the reader unit 1 is in a state where normal operation cannot be performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the flash R
When rewriting the OM1161, the printer unit 2 and the facsimile unit 3 are notified of that fact. Then, in the printer unit 2 and the facsimile unit 3, the reader unit 1
If it is not operating, all the operations of the modules that cannot operate are stopped, and the modules that can operate even if the reader unit 1 is not operating continue to operate as they are. For example, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that only the function of storing the compressed image data received by the facsimile unit 3 via the public telephone line in the hard disk 4 can operate regardless of the state of the reader unit 1.

Here, the detailed configuration of the facsimile unit 3 will be described.
This is shown in the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 5, 31 is a CPU that controls the operation of the facsimile section 3, and 32 is a memory that holds the control program in the facsimile section 3. The memory 32 is a non-rewritable non-volatile memory (mask ROM or the like), and includes a reception module and a transmission module as a control program. 33,3
Reference numeral 5 denotes an I / F unit that interfaces with the communication partner device and the reader unit 1, respectively, and 34 denotes an image processing unit that performs decompression processing of received images, compression processing of transmitted images, and the like. still,
The image data received by the facsimile unit 3 via the I / F 33 is decompressed by the image processing unit 34 and stored in the hard disk 4.

The details of the operation of the reader unit 1 at the time of executing the memory rewriting according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is performed by the flash ROM 116 of the reader unit 1.
1 shows a process for downloading 1, and a program for realizing the process is stored in the EPROM 1162 in advance as a download program. The download program is started by receiving a rewrite execution command from the external device 11 and executed by the CPU 114.

When the reader unit 1 receives a rewriting execution command from the host computer of the external device 11, it is first determined in step S101 whether the control program can be rewritten. If not, the process returns to step S101. , Wait for rewriting.
Here, as the unrewritable state, the image processing apparatus 10 is currently in operation for copy processing, facsimile transmission / reception processing, or the like, or is in an intermediate state such as paper jam or paper empty, or In some cases, there is some abnormal state such as abnormal heating of the heat roller.

If the control program can be rewritten in step S101, the process proceeds to step S102 and the CPU 11
Reference numeral 4 sends to the printer unit 2 and the facsimile unit 3 a rewriting start command indicating that rewriting of the control program has started. At this time, the CPU 114 adds, as the function information, the information of the function which can be operated even while the control program is being rewritten, to the rewriting start command to be transmitted.

In the reader unit 1, the memory 116 has a list of modules operating in the facsimile unit 3. That is, it has information about the receiving module and the transmitting module in the facsimile unit 3. In addition, CP
The U 114 may make an inquiry about the module in the memory 32 to the CPU 31 of the facsimile unit 3, for example.

As described above, when the rewriting start command is transmitted in step S102, the facsimile unit 3
It is possible to determine a module that can operate in. For example, a flag indicating whether or not operation is possible at the time of rewriting may be provided in the operation module list in the memory 116. In the receiving module of the facsimile unit 3, since the received signal is stored in the hard disk 4,
This can operate even when the memory 116 in the reader unit 1 is being rewritten, but in the transmission module, the reader unit 1
Since it needs to generate a transmission signal, it cannot operate during rewriting.

Then, in step S103, the CPU 1
14 displays on the operation unit 115 the operating state during rewriting. In the present embodiment, a display indicating that rewriting is being performed and a display indicating that automatic facsimile reception is possible are displayed.

Subsequently, in step S104, the control program is rewritten in the flash ROM 1161. At this time, only the function (reception module in the facsimile unit 3) indicated by the function information added to the rewrite start command in step S102 can operate. That is, the compressed image data received via the telephone line in the facsimile unit 3 can be stored in the hard disk 4 during rewriting.

When the rewriting of the flash ROM 1161 is completed, the process proceeds to step S105, and the CPU 114 transmits a rewriting completion command indicating that the rewriting of the control program is completed to the printer unit 2 and the facsimile unit 3.

Then, in step S106, the CPU 1
14 displays on the operation unit 115 that normal operation is possible, and then returns to normal operation. For example, in the present embodiment, if the receiving process is performed in the facsimile unit 3 during the rewriting, the received data stored in the hard disk 4 is output from the printer unit 2.

If the function of the image processing apparatus 10 is greatly changed by rewriting the control program, after turning off the main power source of the image processing apparatus 10 once,
You may reboot by turning it on again. In this case, in step S106, a message to that effect is displayed on the operation unit 115 to prompt the operator to reboot.

Next, the operation of the facsimile unit 3 when rewriting the memory will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 7 shows the process in the facsimile unit 3 when the flash ROM 1161 of the reader unit 1 is downloaded. A program for realizing the processing is an R (not shown) in the facsimile unit 3.
It is held in the OM or the like and is activated by receiving a rewrite start command from the CPU 114.

When the facsimile unit 3 receives the rewriting start command from the reader unit 1, first in step S201, a module (reception module) operable in the facsimile unit 3 is selected from the function information added to the received rewriting start command. To be done. Next, in step S202, the facsimile unit 3 sets only the operable modules to the executable state. And step S
In step 203, it is determined whether the rewriting end command is received from the reader unit 1. If not received, the process returns to step S202, and the operation of only operable modules in step S202 is continued until the rewrite end command is received. When the rewriting end command is received in step S203, the process proceeds to step S204,
Return to normal operation.

In this embodiment, the description has been given assuming that only the receiving module in the facsimile unit 3 is operable as a module that can be operated during the rewriting of the control program, but the reader unit 1 does not require direct control. The present invention is applicable not only to the facsimile section 3 as long as it has a function.

As described above, according to this embodiment, even while the control program of the image processing apparatus is being rewritten,
As for functions that can be operated regardless of the operation of the control program, the operation can be continued as it is. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately upgrade the version while efficiently operating the image processing apparatus.

<Second Embodiment> The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
An embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, 51
Is a reader unit that reads a document image placed on a document table (not shown), and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 52 and the image input / output control unit 53. The printer unit 52 records an image corresponding to the image data transferred from the reader unit 51 and the image input / output control unit 53 on a recording paper and outputs it. The image input / output control unit 53 is the reader unit 5.
1, a facsimile unit 54, a file unit 55, a computer interface unit 57, a formatter unit 58, an image memory unit 59, a core unit 60 and the like.

The facsimile section 54 expands the compressed image data received via the public telephone line and transfers the expanded image data to the core section 60. Further, the image data transferred from the core unit 60 is compressed, and the compressed image data is transmitted to the designated destination via the public telephone line. A hard disk 62 is connected to the facsimile unit 54, and the received compressed image data can be temporarily stored.

A magneto-optical disk drive unit 56 is connected to the file section 55. The file unit 55 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 60, and stores it in the removable magneto-optical disk set in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 56 together with the keyword for searching the image data. The file unit 55 also searches the compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 60. Then, the retrieved compressed image data is read out and decompressed, and the decompressed image data is transferred to the core unit 60.

The computer interface section 57 includes
Personal computer or workstation (PC
/ WS) 61 and the core unit 60. The formatter unit 58 develops the image-representing code data transferred from the PC / WS 61 into image data in a format recordable by the printer unit 52. The image memory unit 59 temporarily stores the data transferred from the PC / WS 61.

Although the details of the core unit 60 will be described later, the core unit 60 includes a reader unit 51, a facsimile unit 54,
File unit 55, computer interface unit 5
7, the flow of data between the formatter unit 58 and the image memory unit 59 is controlled. Also,
In the second embodiment, the external device 63 is used as a host computer to rewrite the memory in the reader unit 51.

In the second embodiment, the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 are provided as an integrated device, but the side sectional view thereof is the same as that of FIG. 2 shown in the above-mentioned first embodiment, and therefore its explanation is omitted. To do.

FIG. 9 shows a detailed block configuration of the reader section 51. In FIG. 9, 159 is a CCD and 150 is A /
A / D / SH unit that performs D conversion and shading correction,
Reference numeral 151 denotes an image processing unit that performs various image processing, 153 denotes an I / F unit that controls the interface with the image input / output control unit 53,
Reference numeral 155 denotes an operation unit through which an operator inputs an instruction and notifies the state of the device, and 157 denotes an I / F unit which controls an interface with the external device 11, and SCSI, RS-232C.
Etc. are provided.

Reference numeral 154 is a CPU that controls each component of the reader unit 51 in a centralized manner, and 156 is a memory that stores a control program that is referenced and executed by the CPU 154. The memory 156 is composed of an EEPROM or the like,
This is a memory to be rewritten in this embodiment.

The image data output from the CCD 159 is subjected to analog / digital conversion in the A / D / SH unit 150 and shading correction. A
The image data processed by the / D / SH unit 150 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 151 and to the core unit 60 of the image input / output control unit 53 via the I / F unit 153. It The CPU 154 is the operation unit 155.
The image processing unit 151 and the I / F unit 153 are controlled in accordance with the setting contents set in step 1. For example, when the copy mode is set in which the trimming process is performed by the operation unit 155 and copying is set, the trimming process is performed by the image processing unit 151 and then transferred to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 155, the control command corresponding to the image data and the set mode is transferred from the I / F unit 153 to the core unit 60. As described above, the CPU 154 that performs such processing
The control program of is stored in the memory 156. The memory 156 is also used as a work area for the CPU 154.

FIG. 10 shows a detailed block configuration of the core section 60. In the core unit 60, the I 120 interfaces with other components in the image input / output control unit 53.
/ F section, 121 is a data processing section for performing image processing, 122
Is an I / F unit that interfaces with the reader unit 51,
23 is a CPU that controls the entire core unit 60, and 124 is a C
It is a memory that stores a control program executed by the PU 123.

The image data and the control command transferred from the reader unit 51 are input to the data processing unit 121 and the CPU 123, respectively. The transferred image data is subjected to image processing such as rotation and scaling in the data processing unit 121, and the I / F unit 120 is processed according to the content of the control command.
Is transferred to any of the facsimile unit 54, the file unit 55, and the computer interface unit 57 via.

Further, the computer interface 57
Code data representing an image, which is input via the, is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then to the formatter unit 58. Then, after being expanded into image data by the formatter unit 58, the image data is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and transferred to the facsimile unit 54 and the printer unit 52.

The image data from the facsimile unit 54 is
After being transferred to the data processing unit 121, the printer unit 52, the file unit 55, and the computer interface unit 57.
Be transferred to either Further, the image data from the file unit 55 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then to the printer unit 52, the facsimile unit 54, and the computer interface unit 57.

The CPU 123 performs the above-described control according to the control program stored in the memory 124 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 51. The memory 124 is also used as a work area of the CPU 123.

As described above, in the image processing apparatus of the second embodiment, with the core unit 60 as the center, reading of the original image, printing of the image, transmission / reception of the image, storage of the image, input / output of data from the computer. It is possible to perform processing that combines functions such as.

Next, the detailed configuration of the memory 156 in the reader unit 51 will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the memory 156 shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, a memory 156 is a flash ROM 1561 and RA.
It is composed of M1562. Also, 158 and 1
Reference numerals 59 are an address bus and a data bus of the CPU 154, respectively. The flash ROM 1561 is the reader unit 51.
It stores the control program for normal operation of
It is a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EPROM.
The RAM 1563 is used as a storage area for the backup data of the reader unit 51 and a work area of the CPU 154.

FIG. 12 shows a flash ROM 156.
1 shows the internal configuration of No. 1. As shown in FIG. 12, flash R
The OM1561 is divided into 16 blocks indicated by 1100 to 1115, and an individual module is stored in each block. The flash ROM 1561 is in a rewrite mode in which a normal read operation cannot be performed at the time of rewriting, but the read operation can be performed by temporarily suspending the rewriting. Further, the flash ROM 1561 can be rewritten in units of the blocks.

In the flash ROM 1561 shown in FIG. 12, the block 1100 has a flash ROM 156.
A download program referred to by the CPU 154 when rewriting 1 is stored, and only this block is protected by hardware to prohibit rewriting. When rewriting to another block, the CPU 154 transfers the download program stored in the block 1100 to the RAM 1562,
Control is performed while referring to the transferred program. Further, blocks 1101 to 1107 store a control program for the reader unit 51. Further, blocks 1108 to 1112 store the programs of the respective operation units, and blocks 1113 to 1115 are reserved areas.

Hereinafter, in the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the operation when a so-called version-up process is performed in which the control program of the reader unit 51 is rewritten by the external device 63 will be considered. At this time, the external device 63 is the host computer, and the RS
The control program stored in the flash ROM 1561 shown in FIG. 11 is transmitted to the image processing apparatus side via the interface 157 of the -232C. Then CPU 154
Stores the received control program in the flash ROM 1561 while referring to the download program transferred to the RAM 1562.

Flash ROM 1 in the second embodiment
The 561 cannot be normally read in the rewriting mode, but can be read by temporarily suspending the rewriting. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the following control is performed when rewriting the flash ROM 1561.

That is, the modules that can be executed by combining the programs in the blocks unrelated to the block to be rewritten are readable. Then, when an execution instruction is issued to the executable module in the rewrite mode, the rewriting is temporarily suspended, the operation for the executable module is preferentially performed, and after the operation is finished, the rewriting is performed again. . For example, flash ROM
Considering the case where the control program in 1561 is rewritten particularly for adding the function in the file operation unit shown in block 1111 of FIG. 12, in this case, the operation units of the copy, facsimile, and printer (respectively, Blocks 1109, 1110, 1112
(Corresponding to), normal processing is permitted.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the operation of the reader section 51 at the time of executing the memory rewriting will be described in detail. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 is the process when the flash ROM 1561 of the reader unit 51 is downloaded, and the program that realizes the process is the block 1 of the flash ROM 1561.
It is stored in advance in 100. The download program is transferred to the RAM 1562 by receiving a rewrite execution command from the external device 11, and the CPU 154
Performed by

When the reader unit 51 receives the rewriting execution command from the host computer of the external device 11, it is first determined in step S301 whether the control program can be rewritten. If the rewriting is not possible, the process returns to step S301. , Wait for rewriting. Here, as the unrewritable state, the image processing apparatus 10 is currently in operation for copy processing, facsimile transmission / reception processing, or the like, or is in an intermediate state such as paper jam or paper empty, or In some cases, there is some abnormal state such as abnormal heating of the heat roller.

If the control program can be rewritten in step S301, the process proceeds to step S302 and the CPU 15
4 suspends all the functions related to the module in the block to be rewritten. For example, when the file operation module shown in the block 1111 is rewritten as described above, the CPU 154 displays on the operation unit 155 that the file operation cannot be performed, and the file unit 55 is sent to the image input / output control unit 53. Issue a command to indicate that is invalid. At this time, the operation unit 155 may stop all the display related to the file operation.

Next, in step S303, the image processing apparatus shifts to the rewrite mode. And step S30
4, the control program (only the block 1111 in this case) is rewritten in the flash ROM 1561.

When the rewriting of the flash ROM 1561 is completed, the process proceeds to step S305 to end the rewriting mode. Subsequently, in step S306, the module suspended for rewriting in step S302 is restarted.

Although the memory rewriting processing in the second embodiment is executed as described above, in the second embodiment, other operations are preferentially executed during the memory rewriting as described above. Characterize. The interrupt interruption process during the rewriting process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

It is assumed that an interruption of an execution request for any operable module is received during the rewriting process shown in step S304 of FIG. 13 described above. For example, a print execution command for a module in the printer operation unit in block 1112 shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to this interrupt request. Then, the CPU 154 starts interrupt interruption processing. First, in step S311, the CPU
154 is a block 1111 of the flash ROM 1561
To the flash ROM 15
61 is set to a readable state.

Next, in step S312, the operable module requested to operate is executed. When the operation of the module is completed, the process proceeds to step S313, and it is determined whether or not there is an operation request interrupt for another operable module. If another module is interrupted, the process returns to step S312 to execute the module.

On the other hand, if there is no other interrupt in step S313, the process proceeds to step S314 and step S31.
Cancels the suspension of the rewriting process by 1 and flash R
The OM1561 is made rewritable.

Then, returning to step S304 shown in FIG. 13, the rewriting process can be restarted.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
Even when the control program of the image processing apparatus is being rewritten, it is possible to interrupt the rewriting process, execute the process, and re-execute the rewriting process for a process having a high priority. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately upgrade the version while efficiently operating the image processing apparatus.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices such as a host computer, an interface and a printer, or to an apparatus composed of a single device such as a copying machine. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is implemented by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, the storage medium storing the program according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium to the system or device, the system or device operates in a predetermined manner.

[0084]

As described above, according to the present invention, even while the control program of the image processing apparatus is being rewritten, the operation that is operable regardless of the operation of the control program is continued. be able to.

Further, even during the rewriting of the control program, it is possible to interrupt the rewriting process for the process having a high priority, execute the process, and re-execute the rewriting process after the end.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately upgrade the version while efficiently operating the image processing apparatus.

[0087]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of an apparatus in which a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2 according to the present embodiment are integrated.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reader unit 1 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a memory 116 of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile unit 3 of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of rewriting a control program in the reader unit 1 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the facsimile unit 3 when rewriting a control program in this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reader unit 51 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a core unit 60 in the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a memory 156 in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flash ROM 15 according to the second embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the memory structure of 61.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process of rewriting a control program in the reader unit 1 in the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing interrupt processing when rewriting a control program in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Reader Unit 2 Printer Unit 3 Facsimile Unit 4 Hard Disk 11 External Device 111 Image Processing Unit 114 CPU 115 Operation Unit 116 Memory 1161 Flash ROM 1162 EPROM 1163 RAM

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus in which a control program is held in a rewritable storage means, the image processing apparatus having a control means for controlling the entire apparatus according to the control program, and a rewriting means for rewriting the control program, An image processing apparatus, wherein the means gives an instruction for a process operable when the rewriting is performed by the rewriting means, and permits the operation of the processing when the rewriting is performed by the rewriting means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a flash ROM. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit includes an EEPROM. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing operable when rewriting by the rewriting unit is processing that is not directly involved in the control program. 5. A second control program is stored in a second storage means different from the rewritable storage means, and a process operable when rewriting by the rewriting means is the second control program. The image processing device according to claim 4, wherein the image processing device is a program. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second storage unit is not rewritable. 7. The device further comprises an informing unit for informing an operator of a device state, and the informing unit informs that the rewriting is being performed when the rewriting is performed by the rewriting unit. 1. The image processing device according to 1. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the notifying unit notifies the operable processing when the rewriting is performed by the rewriting unit. 9. An image processing apparatus in which a control program is held in a rewritable storage means, the image processing apparatus comprising: a control means for controlling the entire apparatus according to the control program; and a rewriting means for rewriting the control program. The means divides and holds the control program into a plurality of modules, the rewriting means rewrites in units of the modules, and the control means performs processing that is operable at the time of rewriting by the rewriting means in the plurality of modules. Direct from
An image processing apparatus, wherein the operation of the module is permitted when rewriting by the rewriting unit. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit suspends the rewriting when the instructed module operates during rewriting by the rewriting unit. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the storage unit includes a flash ROM. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the storage unit includes an EEPROM. 13. The device further comprises an informing unit for informing an operator of the apparatus state, and the informing unit informs that the rewriting is being performed when the rewriting is performed by the rewriting unit. 9. The image processing device according to item 9. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the notifying unit notifies the operable process when the rewriting is performed by the rewriting unit. 15. An image processing method in an image processing device in which a control program is held in a rewritable storage means, wherein an operation that can be performed when the control program is rewritten is instructed, and the operation of the process is performed when the rewrite is performed. An image processing method characterized by permitting. 16. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus in which a control program is stored in a rewritable storage means, wherein the storage means divides and holds the control program into a plurality of modules, and the control program is stored in the control program. An image processing method characterized by instructing a process operable when rewriting in module units from the plurality of modules and permitting the operation of the modules when rewriting.